Wrench.



E. D. HALE.

WRENCH.

APPLICATION IILED 0012.27, 1013.

1,1 17,562. Patented Nov. 17,191

1HE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTD-LIYHO. WISHINGYON. 71C

ELBER'I D. HALE, OF CLARKSTON, WASHINGTON.

WRENCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

Application filed October 27, 1913. Serial No. 797,633.

T all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ELnnn'r D. HALE, citizen of the United States, residing at Clarkston, in the county of Asotin and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lVrenches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in wrenches.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a wrench which will include an adjustable work engaging member at each end of its shank portion and in which the adjusting element at one end of the wrench may be employed for locking the adjusting element at the other end of the wrench against movement.

A further object of the invention to provide a construction in which either end of the tool may be conveniently used and in which the adjustment of the work engaging membersmay be effected with one hand of the operator, thus allowing the work to be supported by the other hand while the tool is being adjusted.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a structure in which the shank of the wrench will sustain all of the pressure brought to bear on the work engaging members, thus producing a compact tool in which the adjustable members will not be displaced when excessive pressure is brought to bear on the shank.

\Vith these and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and then specifically pointed out in the claims which are attached to and form a part of this application.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a similar view artly in section, showing the manner in which the sliding jaw supports the pivoted work engaging members against movement. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 1 is a detail view of the shank.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the accompanying drawings by the same reference characters.

In the drawings, 10 designates the shank, which at one end is provided with the jaw 11, the shank being formed with a rack 12 on one of its edges. A sliding jaw 13 is mounted on the shank and supports a longitudinally disposed pin or shaft 1 1 on which the worm 15 is mounted, the worm engaging the rack 12 to move the jaw 13 longitudinally of the shank. The jaw 13 consists of a sleeve which embraces the shank and is of such length that it may travel over the center of the shank toward the end of the same remote from the jaw 11.

The end 16 of the shank is bifurcated, and between the bifurcations is supported a plurality of work-engaging jaws 17 and 18. These jaws consist of shank portions 19, the terminals of which are pivotally connected at 20 between the bifurcations, the shanks at their free ends terminating in the curved work-engaging jaws .21. VVhilo these jaws have been shown as provided with straight faces 22, it will be understood that said faces may be of any suitable design to grasp work of different configurations. The outer faces 23 of the jaws are rounded.

Slidably arranged upon the shank is a sleeve 24; open at both ends, the sleeve cmbracing that portion of the shank on which the worlecngaging members 17 and 18 are pivoted. The open end of the sleeve 2' 1- adjacent the end of the shank 10 is provided ateach 01 its edges with a curved prong or guiding-finger 26, the guiding-fingers riding over the curved outer faces of the workengaging portions of the jaws 17 and 18, the sleeve when moved in contact with said jaws bringing their work-engaging faces together. The inner edges 27 of each of the jaws are provided with a slot 28 which is recessed intermediate its ends. A pin 29 is supported by the sleeve 24, extending transversely through the sleeve, being received between the recessed portions of the jaws 17 and 18. Thus as the sleeve 24- is moved lon gitudinally of the shank 10 toward the jaw 11, the jaws 17 and 18 are separated, the pin 29 forcing the same apart. lVhen the sleeve is moved in the other direction, the curved extensions 26 force the jaws together to engage the matcrial which it is desired to support.

After the jaws 17 and 18 have been adjusted on the work, and it is desired to lock the same against relative movement, the sleeve 13 is advanced longitudinally of the shank 10 until its end 30 abuts the end of the sleeve 94:- It will be noted that when the sleeve 13 is moved to this position, the sleeve 24 is eflectually locked against move ment longitudinally of the shank 10 and that the jaws 17 and 18 will, therefore, be

supported against relative movement and in contact with the work.

Particular attention is called to the fact that this locking of the jaws 17 and 18 may be accomplished by one hand of the operator and that while the adjustment is being made, the work may thus be effectually supported between the jaws. lVith the sleeve looked as illustrated in Fig. 2, the jaws 17 and 18 are not only effectually held against relative movement but any pressure exerted on said jaws will be transmitted directly to the shank from the sleeve the shank thus sustaining the pressure brought to bear on the jaw members. Both of the sliding sleeves, as well as the shank 10, operate as an integral member.

In order to assist the operator in applying the jaws l7 and 18, a helical spring 31 has been disposed between these jaws for wardly of their pivotal points. This spring is of the expansion type, and is arranged with its terminals seated in transversely alined recesses 32 which are formed in the adjacent edges of the jaws, as will be readily noted upon reference to Figs. 2 and 3.

The many advantages of a construction of this character will be clearly apparent, as it will be noted that the structure is such as may be easily and economically manufactured, and that the various parts may be readily assembled.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. The combination with a wrench having a fixed jaw and a movable and formed with a shank having coacting jaws pivotally secured thereto, of a sleeve slidably mounted on the shank and movable into or out of en agement with said pivoted jaws, said movable jaw being disposed to operatively engage said sleeve and forming an adjustable stop therefor, and means for locking the movable aw in a fixed position upon the shank.

2. The combination with a wrench having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and formed with a shank having coacting jaws pivotally secured thereto, of asleeve slidably mounted on the shank and arranged to engage said coacting jaws, said sleeve forming a hand grip, the movable jaw being adjustably mounted upon the shank and forming a stop for said sleeve, and means for locking said movable jaw in a fixed position upon the shank.

3. The combination with a wrench including a shank having coacting jaws pivotally secured thereto, of a sleeve slid'ably mounted on the shank and arranged to engage said jaws, resilient means interposed between the free extremities of the jaws and normally operating against the action of said sleeve when moved to engage said jaws, the adjacent extremity of the shank being slotted, a pin carried by said sleeve and extending through said slot, said pin being arranged to' extend between the jaws and adapted to force the free extremitiesthereof apart when the sleeve is moved to inoperative position to free said jaws, a second sleeve mounted on the shank and forming an adjustable stop for said first mentioned sleeve, and means for locking said last mentioned sleeve in a fixed position upon the shank.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELBERT D. HALE. [1 s] lVitnesses J. T. CRUIME, CLARA CRUME.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

